chapter 16

Huxley

When I finally get out of the pool, having been dunked by a dozen girls about a hundred times, I make my way up to the deck and discover Elizabeth stretched out on a sunbed, drying her hair in the sunshine. She’s wearing a dress that I think is Brandy’s, which is of course far too long for her, but she’s pulled it up a little to let the sun get to her legs.

I stand over her and shake myself like Nymph. She puts a hand up to shade her eyes and glares at me.

“I’ve just got dry,” she says.

I laugh and pick up a towel. “Dress a bit long, is it?”

I can see her about to tell me to fuck off, but then Joanna comes up on the deck, so she leans back and closes her eyes again.

Chuckling, I go inside, grab my shorts and tee from the bag I left by the door, and head to the bathroom to change. When I come out, Mum and Raewyn are in the kitchen, starting to get the food ready for the girls’ tea.

“Are they ever getting out of the pool?” Raewyn asks. “They’re going to look like prunes.”

“They’l